nature, types, causes and methods of abortion 2.pdfthe issue of the moral status of abortion. hence,...

THE MORAL ISSUES OF ABORTION: ONGOING DEBATES

Sunil Kumar Das 47

Chapter – II

NATURE, TYPES, CAUSES AND

METHODS OF ABORTION

Every attempt to harm an innocent human person violates the principles of non-

maleficence and justice, and is always wrong. Every procedure adopted with the

intention of killing an unborn child, or of terminating its development, is an attempt

to harm, even if it is developed only as a means to some beneficent end (purpose)

and even if it is carried out with very great reluctance and regret. 210

II.1 Controversy on the Nature of Abortion

What, actually, is abortion? Any discussion on the moral status of

abortion necessarily begins with this question. Appropriate answer to this

question, in fact, throws light on the nature of abortion. There is, of course, a

serious controversy regarding the nature of abortion. Even the medical

practitioners, who perform abortion, do not necessarily posses any common

understanding on this issue.

It is, therefore, difficult either to get or to work out any universally

accepted definition of abortion. Socio-political, medical and moral thinkers

provide different definitions of abortion from their own perspectives. An

analytical and comparative study of these definitions may help us to deal with

the issue of the moral status of abortion. Hence, some of the representative

prevalent definitions of abortion may be cited and discussed below:

210 Finnis, J. (2004). “Abortion and Health Care Ethics”. In Bioethics: An Anthology. PP-15-16


Sunil Kumar Das 48

II.1.1 Some Pro-choice Definitions of Abortion

Sl.No. Definition Remark

01. “Abortion is the termination of

pregnancy before the period of

viability which is considered to

occur at 28th week.”211

This definition is based on the Roe

Wade Judgment of American Supreme

Court-1973, for which any termination

of pregnancy done before the period of

viability is only legal. Viability, here,

means the capability of meaningful life

outside the mother’s. The judgment

held that the state has compelling

interest in protecting the life of the

foetus when it presumably has the

capability of meaningful life outside

the mother’s womb.

But what does the court actually mean

by meaningful life is not clear.

However, for general international

acceptance, the limit of viability is now

brought down either to the foetus’

survival in the womb up to 20th week

or its gaining the weight of 500gm.

Hence, termination of pregnancy done

after the period the expelled foetus’

survival in the womb exceeds 20th

week or it weighs more than 500gm, it

is called abortus. But, if it exceeds that

limit, then the termination of

pregnancy illegal and is equal to

homicide.

211 Dutta, D. (1992). Text Book Of Obstetrics Including Perinatology & Contraception. P-170


Sunil Kumar Das 49

02. “Expulsion of the feotus before it

has reached a state of

development sufficient to permit

it to live outside the uterus.”212

The definition is somewhat like the

definition of Sl. No. 01, but it does not

spell clearly when, actually a feotus

reaches the state of development

sufficient to permit it to live outside the

uterus, nor is there any universally

accepted norm by which it can be

ascertained that a feotus has reached

that state.

03. “The expulsion of the foetus

from the womb before the

seventh month of pregnancy.”213

This definition is similar to the

definitions of Sl. Nos. 01 and 02

differing only on the point that

expulsion of the foetus must be done

before the seventh month of pregnancy,

failing which the termination of

pregnancy will not stand to be

abortion; it will be a case of murder.

04. “Expulsion of a foetus from the

womb before it is viable.”214

This definition is almost similar to the

definitions of Sl. Nos. 01 and 02.

05. “Abortion, in medicine, is the

expulsion of the foetus before it

is capable of independent

existence. This may take place at

any period of pregnancy before

the completion of the twenty-

eighth week.”215


definition of Sl. No. 01.

212 Benton, W. (1974). The new encyclopaedia Britannica in 30 Volumes, Micropaedia, (Vol. 1).

P-29 213 Ibid. P-10 214 Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language. (1960). P-4 215 Rappoport, A. et al (ed.). (1922). The New Gresham Encyclopedia (Vol. 1). P-12


Sunil Kumar Das 50

06. “Abortion, expulsion of the

product of conception before the

fetus, is viable. Any interruption

of pregnancy period to the 20th

week is known as abortion.”216



07. “In medical parlance, abortion is

defined as termination of

pregnancy, spontaneously or by

induction, prior to viability”217

This definition is similar to the

definitions of Sl. Nos. 01 and 02.

08. “Abortion is defined as expulsion

of conception whether it be

spontaneous or induced before

the twenty-eighth week of

gestation, after which the foetus

is considered to be viable.”218



II.1.2 some pro-life definitions of abortion

Sl. No. Definition Remark

01 “Abortion is the termination of

pregnancy at any point between

conception and birth, resulting to

the death of the foetus.”219

This definition covers all types of

abortion. Here the term foetus “is used

inclusively to cover all stages of

prenatal development”220

216 Bridgwater, W. et al (ed.). (1959). The Columbia encyclopedia. P-8 217 Hellegers, A. E. (1978). “Abortion”. In Encyclopedia of Bioethics. P-2 218 Padubidri,V. et al (ed.). (1994). Howkins and Bourne Shaw's Textbook of Gynocology. P-244 219 Gibson, S. (1998). “Abortion”. In Encyclopedia of Applied Ethics. P-1 220 Ibid.


Sunil Kumar Das 51

02 “Abortion….means des-truction

of life after conception and

before birth.”221


abortion and it “implies that abortion

has to be distinguished from non-

conception on the one hand, and from

infanticide on the other.”222

03 “Abortion is defined as the

intentional removal of a foetus

from the mother’s womb other

than for the purpose of producing

a live birth or removing a dead

foetus.”223


abortion. Here also the term foetus is

used inclusively to cover all stages of

prenatal development.

04 “The term ‘abortion’ means a

premature termination of

pregnancy, or termination of an

unborn life during its gestation

period, or expulsion of the

product of conception from the

uterus of a pregnant woman.”224


abortion.

05 “Abortion is the inten-tional

termination of gestation by any

means and at any time during

pregnancy from concep-tion to

full term.”225


abortion.

06

“Abortion is the termina-tion of a

pregnancy by the removal or

expulsion from the uterus of a


abortion.

221 Chakravarti, K. (1995). “The Moral Isuues of Abortion”. J I PR. P-149 222 Ibid. 223 Bertucci, M. L. et al (ed.). (1996). Encyclopedia of Human Rights. P-1 224 Satyanarayana, Y. (2010). ethics theory and practice. P-139 225 Mohr, J. C.(1978). Abortion In America: The Origins and Evolution of National Policy. P-VIII


Sunil Kumar Das 52

foetus or embryo, resulting in or

caused by its death.”226

07 Abortion—that is, the deliberate

killing of the foetus in its

mother’s womb.227


abortion.

08 “The spontaneous or medically

induced removal of the contents

of the uterus during

pregnancy.”228

According to this definition,

irrespective of any cut of point, any

case of removal of a prenatal

organism—be it spontaneous or

medically induced—is abortion.

On the basis of the above discussion we can now try to work out the

following fundamental features of abortion:

1. Abortion is the deliberate destruction of human life, while it is in the

womb.

2. Abortion is distinguishable from non-conception and infanticide.

3. Abortion occurs, when death of a human life is deliberately caused at

any stage of its existence in the womb, viz. zygote, fetus and embryo.

Having taken into consideration these fundamental features of abortion

a definition of abortion can now be worked out in the following way:

Abortion means deliberate destruction of human life at any stage

between fertilization and birth.

226 “Abortion” In Wikipedia: the free encyclopedia. (2012) P-1, [e-article] 227 Odenberg, D. S. (2000). Applied Ethics: a non-consequentialist apprach. P-3 228 Crooks, R. et al (1993). Our Sexuality. P-690


Sunil Kumar Das 53

II.2 Types of Abortion

Abortion is of various types, all of which are not the concern of

Ethics. In order to sort out which types of abortion should be discussed in

Ethics, let us first work out the different types of abortion. Let us thus look

at the under-quoted inverted tree displaying the classification of abortion:

“

”229

According to some thinkers Spontaneous abortion may basically be of

two types: (a) Natural and (b) Accidental. Since any kind of Spontaneous

abortion can be either Isolated or Recurrent, hence, according such thinkers as

Natural Spontaneous abortion can be either Isolated or Recurrent so also the

Accidental Spontaneous abortion, i.e. Accidental Spontaneous abortion can

also be Isolated or Recurrent.

229 Dutta, D. (1992). Text Book Of Obstetrics Including Perinatology & Contraception. P-170

Abortion

Spontaneous Natural and Accidental

Illegal (Criminal)

Induced

LegalIsolated Recurrent

Threatened Septic Complet Incomplet

Missed Inevitable


Sunil Kumar Das 54

Following this view the classification of abortion may be shown by the

under-drawn figure—an extended version of the above quoted inverted tree

displaying the classification of abortion:

As the figure shows, abortion is basically of two types:

Spontaneous and Induced.

II.2.1 Spontaneous Abortion: Spontaneous abortions may

also be called miscarriage. This refers to naturally occurring termination of

pregnancy without medical or other intervention.230 This type of abortion

sometimes happens “even before a woman realizes that she is pregnant,

and she even may not realize that she has aborted.”231

230 Amal, D.(2010). “Abortion Dubai | Treatment is drug at Luxury Medical SPA”. P-1,[e-article] 231 Ibid.

Abortion

Spontaneous Natural and Accidental

Illegal (Criminal)

Induced

Legal Isolated Recurrent

Threatened Septic Complet Incomplet

Missed Inevitable


Sunil Kumar Das 55

About 10% of all pregnancies end in spontaneous abortion and much more than that,

percentage counts for induced abortion.232

II.2.1.1 Natural Spontaneous Abortion : Natural Spontaneous

Abortion is the miscarriage that occurs owing to natural reasons like ill-health,

local disease or disease of the generative organs, shocks, fear, excessive joy

etc. of the mother.

Natural abortion occurs mostly during the 2nd and 3rd month of pregnancy.233

This type of abortion is beyond human control and human decision. Hence no

moral agent is responsible for that. Ethics is not concerned with this type of

abortion, because this is not voluntary action and ethics deals with voluntary

actions only.

II.2.1.2 Accidental Spontaneous Abortion : Accidental

Spontaneous Abortion may occur owing to trauma of sexual intercourse,

accidental (non-intended) poisoning—arsenic, lead or drug toxicity, even

vegetable poisoning etc.234 or because of accidental fall dislodging the

implanted ovum.235Like natural spontaneous abortion, accidental spontaneous

abortion is also not dealt with in Ethics, because it does not depend on human

decision. This type of abortion is neither morally right, nor morally wrong.

Spontaneous abortion—both natural and accidental—is of two

types: (a) Isolated and (b) Recurrent.

(a) Isolated abortion as the name indicates is a spontaneous abortion that

occurs at a single phase.

232 Nandy, A. (1996). Principles of Forensic Medicine. P-411 233 Ibid. 234 Ibid. 235 Padubidri,V. et al (ed.). (1994). Howkins and Bourne Shaw's Textbook of Gynocology. P-244


Sunil Kumar Das 56

(b) Recurrent abortion “is usually defined as a sequence of three or more

consecutive spontaneous abortion.” 236

Isolated and/or Recurrent and Natural and/or Accidental

Spontaneous abortions are again divided into six types, namely: (i)

Threatened, (ii) Inevitable, (iii) Complete, (iv) Incomplete, (v) Missed and (vi)

Septic—depending on the condition, circumstance and medical reasons.

(i) Threatened Abortion: “It is a clinical entity where the process of

abortion has started but has not progressed to a state from which recovery is

impossible”237

(ii) Inevitable Abortion: “It is the clinical type of abortion where the

charges have progressed to a state from where continuation of pregnancy is

impossible.”238

(iii) Complete Abortion: When the products of conception are expelled

en masse, or all the products of conception have been expelled from the

uterus, it is called complete abortion.239

(iv) Incomplete Abortion: “When the entire products of conception are

not expelled, instead a part of it left inside the uterine cavity, it is called

incomplete abortion”240

(v) Missed Abortion: When the fetus is dead and retained inside the uterus

for a few days, it is called missed abortion.241

236 Dutta, D. (1992). Text Book Of Obstetrics : Including Perinatology & Contraception. P-180 237 Ibid. P-172 238 Ibid. P-173 239 Ibid. P-174 240 Ibid. P-175 241 Ibid. P- 176


Sunil Kumar Das 57

(vi) Septic Abortion: “Any abortion associated with clinical evidences of

infection of the uterus and its contents, is called septic abortion.”242 “Fever,

chills, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, persistent vaginal bleeding, abdominal

cramping, and pelvic pain or discomforts are common findings.”243

The above mentioned types of abortion are not considered in Ethics, because

these types of abortions do not depend on human choice and decision.

II.2.2 Induced Abortion:

An induced abortion is the purposeful termination of a pregnancy before the embryo

or fetus is capable of sustaining independent life.244

In contrast to spontaneous abortion, an induced or an elective abortion involves a

decision to terminate a pregnancy by medical procedures.245

By induced abortion is meant the deliberate destruction of the product of conception

while it is in the womb.246

Induced abortion is basically two types: (a) Legal Induced Abortion

and (b) Illegal/Criminal Induced Abortion.

II.2.2.1 Legal Induced Abortion : Any induced abortion performed

in accordance with the provisions of Law of a concerned country is called

legal induced abortion.

There are many countries in the globe where the abortion is not yet legalized. In

India, the abortion becomes legalized as “Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of

1971” which becomes enforced in the year April 1972.247

242 Dutta, D. (1992). Text Book Of Obstetrics : Including Perinatology & Contraception. P-180 243 Alison, D. (2010). “What is Spontaneous Abortion? Types of Miscarriage in Pregnancy”.

PP-1-2, [e-article] 244 Nevid, J. et al (ed.). (1993). Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity. P-376 245 Crooks, R. et al (1993). Our Sexuality. P-361 246 Braine, D. (1981). Why Abortion? In Light in the Darkness, Disabled Lives?. P-93 247 Dutta, D. (1992). Text Book Of Obstetrics: Including Perinatology & Contraception. P-184


Sunil Kumar Das 58

Ethics is concerned with this type of abortion, because this type of

abortions depends solely on human choice and decision. Legal induced

abortion is not punishable by law, though it may not be supported from moral

point of view. But there is as such no contradiction here, because we all know

that any legal act is not necessarily justified ethically.

II.2.2.2 Illegal or Criminal Induced Abortion: Any induced

abortion performed in violation of the provisions of the Law of a concerned

country is called illegal or criminal induced abortion.

Ethics is concerned with this type of abortion, because this type of

abortions depends solely on human choice and decision. Illegal or Criminal

induced abortion is punishable by Law, though it may not be supported from

moral point of view. But there is as such no contradiction here, because we all

know that any illegal act is not necessarily unjustified ethically.

Naturally induced abortion—both legal and illegal—would solely

be the concern here in this thesis, since only this kind of abortion pertains to

morality, i.e. the action done by any agent, either directly or indirectly in

conducting abortion, being voluntary, is subject to moral scrutiny, while other

kinds of abortion are not.

As the concern of our present study and the thesis is the moral issues of

abortion, and only the actions done by the direct or indirect operators of

abortion, being voluntary, is subject to moral scrutiny, while other kinds of

abortion are not, the term abortion here-in-after, therefore, will be used

only to designate induced abortion.


Sunil Kumar Das 59

II.3 Reasons of Abortion

The person who accepts some reasons for justifying abortion will find

it impossible to reject any reason, or at least his acceptance of abortion for

certain reasons tend to have the effect of forcing acceptance of abortion for

any reasons.248

Various reasons can be given for having an abortion; of which some

are justified while others are not. In general, women refer to the following

reasons to seek an abortion:

II.3.1 To save the life of the woman carrying a pre-natal

organism : There may be a threat to the life of the woman carrying a pre-

natal organism posed by the later. In certain extreme cases, if the pre-natal

organism is allowed to develop normally and come to term, the woman

carrying the pre-natal organism herself will die.249 This is sometimes treated

as a legitimate reason to seek an abortion.

But now-a-days the continuance of pregnancy involving risk to the life

of the pregnant women is very rare, because advances in modern medicine has

made it almost never necessary to perform an abortion to save the life of the

woman carrying the pre-natal organism.250 In modern times, in first-world

countries, occasions in which abortion is needed to save the life of the woman

carrying the pre-natal organism are very rare. Some women however may be

seriously ill and incapacitated throughout their pregnancy.

II.3.2 Because of the age of the woman carrying a pre-natal

organism : those women carrying a pre-natal organism, who are either too

young or too old, may recognize that they will not be able to care properly for

a child at this time. As a woman, who is very young, pregnancy is very likely

248 Atkinson, G. M. (1974). “The Morality of Abortion”. I.P.Q. P-353 249 Mappes, T. A. (1987). “Abortion”. In Social Ethics. P-1 250 Atkinson, G. M. (1974). “The Morality of Abortion”. I.P.Q, P-353-54


Sunil Kumar Das 60

to reduce her chances of getting a good education and hence limit her career

and life opportunities. This may thus be treated for some moralists as

legitimate reason to seek an abortion.

II.3.3 To preserve the physical health or well-being of the

woman carrying a pre-natal organism : Pregnancy may severely

endanger, in certain cases, the physical or mental health of the woman

carrying a pre-natal organism251 in case the pregnancy is allowed to

continue.”252 This is sometimes treated as a legitimate reason to seek an

abortion.

II.3.4 To avoid or alleviate economic hardship: Sometimes the

birth of a child or another child brings an unbearable financial burden on the

woman and her family.253

As for example, (i) some women cannot continue in their jobs and may

face enormous difficulties in fulfilling their responsibilities at home, (ii)

women of limited means are usually unable to take adequate care of the

children in addition to the existing ones. This tragic condition according some

moralists justifies their access to abortion as a means to escape the oppressive

conditions of poverty they are in.

II.3.5 to avoid social stigma of illegitimacy: When the woman

carrying a pre-natal organism is unmarried there is a chance of a social stigma

of illegitimacy.254 Usually an unwanted child suffers from physical or spiritual

deprivation, and this may grow up to be a problem for him or for society. This

is treated by some moralists as legitimate reason to seek an abortion.

251 Satyanarayana, Y. (2010). ethics theory and practice. P-140 252 Mappes, T. A. (1987). “Abortion”. In Social Ethics. P-1 253 Ibid. 254 Satyanarayana, Y. (2010). ethics theory and practice. P-140


Sunil Kumar Das 61

II.3.6 to preserve the happiness of the couple:

Certainly common, and perhaps most common of all, are those instances in which

having a child will interfere with the happiness of the women, the joint happiness of

the parents, or even the joint happiness of a family unit that already includes

children.255

A couple may be content and happy together and feel their relationship would be

damaged by the intrusion of a child.256

This is treated by some moralists as legitimate reason to seek an

abortion.

II.3.7 to avoid future attitude tinged with bitterness

toward the child taking birth as a result of rape or incest: A woman, who becomes pregnant as a result of rape or incest, may find the

psychological pain of carrying a child to term unbearable. Because she may be

convinced that her attitude to the child after birth will always be tinged with

bitterness. Usually an unwanted child suffers from physical or spiritual

deprivation, and this may grow up to be a problem for him or for society. This

is treated by some moralists as legitimate reason to seek an abortion.

II.3.8 At the fear of transmitting fatal disease or

deformity from the severely ill or deformed parents : Parents

having possible or actual deformity; suffering from chronic disease like AIDS

may be unwilling to allow a child to enter the world under such

circumstances. Again some women are incapacitated throughout pregnancy.

This may thus be treated for some moralists as legitimate reason to seek an

abortion.

II.3.9 In want of preferred sex for the parents : Many people

seek abortion applying the method of ‘sex selection’, that means they want to

255 Mappes, T. A. (1987). “Abortion”. In Social Ethics. P-2 256 Ibid.


Sunil Kumar Das 62

abort a pre-natal organism, if it is of the wrong sex or not of a preferred sex

for them. In modern times it is not difficult at all to know the gender of the

prenatal organism by ultrasonography or some other methods. Once the

gender of the prenatal organism is known, the parent can decide whether the

prenatal organism be allowed to born or it should be aborted depending on

their choice of sex of the prenatal organism.

II.3.10 At the fear of anticipated beatings or incestuous

attacks of the child from brutal and violent parent : When

one of the parents knows that the other one is brutal and violent, either

because of mental illness or for inborn ill nature, he/she will usually be

unwilling to subject the child to the anticipated beatings or incestuous attacks,

and having no other realistic way to remove the child from such a relationship

he/she may seek abortion.

II.3.11 to prevent future deformity of the child resulting

from chromosomal anomalies : Women who learn that the child they

are carrying has serious chromosomal anomalies will often consider it best to

prevent it from being born with a condition that is bound to cause terrible

suffering to it.

II.3.12 To achieve control over population growth : Abortion

is usually considered as a means to meet the social obligation to control

population growth.

II.3.13 To meet the need of the professional career of the

woman carrying a pre-natal organism : Sometimes pregnancy

interferes with the professional career of the woman carrying a pre-natal

organism. Many employers and schools do not tolerate pregnancy in their

employees or students, and many women cannot put their jobs, careers or

studies on hold, for various reasons whatsoever. A woman may believe that

bearing a child at this time is incompatible with her present life-plans, since


Sunil Kumar Das 63

continuing a pregnancy is likely to have profound repercussions throughout

her entire life.

II.3.14 Justification for abortion from right to body

perspective : Besides, these reasons, women aligning themselves with feminist ideology, advance

another reason as a justification for abortion. They claim that a woman has a right to

do with her body whatever she wishes regardless of the reasons she chooses for an

abortion.257

The supporters of the ‘right to body argument’ do not allow any space

to the pre-natal organism beyond the body of the woman carrying that pre-

natal organism. Therefore, for them, the woman carrying a pre-natal organism

enjoys natural right on the pre-natal organism as a part of her body and she

can do any thing with that part of her body.

II.3.15 Justification by reason is not necessary for

abortion—a non-moral matter of the private conscience of

the woman carrying a pre-natal organism: As such, for some

feminists, no reason at all is necessary for abortion, since it is a matter of the

private conscience of the woman carrying a pre-natal organism—which

implies that it is “not a moral question that requires being justified by

reasons.”258

A 2004 study reported that among the reasons that women cite for choosing an

abortion that; it would dramatically change their lives, their ability to continue with

school or work, or their ability to care for others (74 percent); they could not afford

children (73 percent); they were finished having children (38 percent); they did not

want to become single mothers (48 percent). Few cited health problems of either

fetus or mother (12 percent).259

257 Satyanarayana, Y. (2010). ethics theory and practice. P-140 258 Atkinson, G. M. (1974). “The Morality of Abortion”. IPQ. P-353 259 Mackinnon, B. (2011). Ethics Theory and Contemporary Issues. P-96


Sunil Kumar Das 64

II.4 Methods of Abortion

Multiple processes are adopted to terminate pregnancy. These multiple

processes are studied in the medical science as the methods of abortion.

However, the methods of abortion vary depending on the different stages of

pregnancy, the availability of the material and/instrument in a concerned

clinic as well as the choice of the operators. The following are some of the

methods used to cause abortion:

II.4.1 RU-486 (Mifepristone or Mifeprex): The orally

administered drug, RU 486/Mifeprex, and Methotrexate, as shown in

Illustration-01a and Illustration-01b, and its effect is shown in Illustration-02,

are used as a method of abortion.260 Definition: RU486 (brand name Mifeprex) has been widely, effectively and safely

used in France, Sweden and Great Britain for years, and RU486 is also FDA-

approved to be used in the United States. The abortion pill (considered a medical

abortion) must be provided by a healthcare professional.260a

A medical abortion typically consists of the use of two medications: RU486

(mifepristone), which causes a fertilized egg to not remain attached to the lining of

the uterus, and misoprostol, which causes uterine contractions. 260b

Mifepristone is a synthetic steroid compound used as a pharmaceutical. It is a

progesterone receptor antagonist used as an abortifacient in the first months of

pregnancy, and in smaller doses as an emergency contraceptive. Mifepristone is also

a powerful glucocorticoid receptor antagonist. During early trials, it was known as

RU-38486 or simply RU-486, its designation at the Roussel Uclaf company, which

designed the drug. The drug was initially made available in France, and other

countries then followed—often amid controversy. It is marketed under tradenames

Mifegyne and Mifeprex.261

260 Atkinson, G. M. (1974). “The Morality of Abortion”. I.P.Q. P-353 260a Stacey, D. (2011) “RU486 – The Abortion Pill”. P-1, [e-article]

260b Ibid. 261 Ibid. “Mifepristone”. In Wikipedia: the free encyclopedia”. (2012). P-1, [e-article]


Sunil Kumar Das 65

Mifepristone, a chemical that induces early abortion by blocking the effects of

progesterone, the hormone that stimulates proliferation of the endometrium that

allows implantation of the fertilized ovum, and that is required for the plancenta to

develop.262

This method is generally used between the 5th and 9th weeks of

pregnancy.263 The chemical in RU-486 greatly diminishes the chances that a fertilized ovum will

be implanted or that a placenta will develop to sustain its growth.264

The RU486 drug (mifepristone) is taken to inhibit the production of progesterone,

the hormone which prepares the nutrient rich lining of the uterus. As a result the tiny

developing baby literally starves to death as the womb’s lining sloughs off.265

Thereafter, misoprostol is given “to induce contractions and cause the

dead baby to be expelled from the uterus..……The RU486 can cause severe

disabilities in babies who survive the abortion, can injure and possibly kill

women…harm a women’s subsequent offspring” 266 and have serious adverse

side-effects. The side-effects here refer to side-effects in pregnant woman’s

health. It may either be short term or long term, in all cases and in some cases.

The side affects in all cases are as follows:

• Considerable Pain • Heavy Bleeding

• Diarrhea • Nausea

• Vomiting • Severe Cramping

The side affects in 1-2% cases are as follows:

• Prolonged Bleeding up to 44 days and Loss of up to 50% of blood,

• Cardiac Arrest.

262 Nevid, J. et al (ed.). (1993). Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity. P-382 263 Goswami, S. (2007). Female Infenticide and Child Marriage. P-338 264 Nevid, J. et al (ed.). (1993). Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity. P-382 265 Goswami, S. (2007). Female Infenticide and Child Marriage. P-338 266 Ibid.


Sunil Kumar Das 66

the long term effects: The long term effects of the drug have not yet

been sufficiently studied. But as per latest research work on it there are

reasons to believe that RU-486 could affect not only a woman’s current

pregnancy, but also her future pregnancies—potentially inducing miscarriages

or causing severe malformations in later children.

Illustration -01a & Illustration -01b 267

RU-486 Pills

Illustration -02268

Effect

267 For Illustration-01a “Italy finally approves abortion drug RU-486 « Eideard”.(2009).P-1. For Illustration -01b Serena, (2009). “What is the Abortion Pill?”. P-1, [e-photo/picture] 268 RU-486 – picture (2012). P-1. [e-photo/picture]


Sunil Kumar Das 67

II.4.2 Vacuum Aspiration: Vacuum aspiration or suction can be

used to terminate pregnancy surgically. It can be done in two ways: manually

or by machine. “Suction is created with either an electric pump (electric

vacuum aspiration or EVA) or a manual pump (manual vacuum aspiration or

MVA). Both methods use the same level of suction, and so can be considered

equivalent in terms of effectiveness and safety.”269

II.4.2.1 Manual Vacuum Aspiration (Mva): Manual Vacuum

Aspiration (MVA) is a commonly used form of surgical technique based

abortion involving suction without use of electricity. The equipments and

operation of this methods are shown in the two sets of illustrations—03 & 04,

and 05 & 06 respectively.

Illustration —03270 Illustration—04271

Manual Vacuum Aspirator Equipment

269 “Vacuum aspiration” InWikipedia: the free encyclopedia. (2011). P-2 , [e-article] 270 “The Abortioneers: Ipas, You-pas, we all pas for...”. (2010). P-1, [e-photo/picture] 271 “Manual vacuum abortion equipment” (2012). P-1, [e-photo/picture]


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Illustration—05272 Illustration—06273

Inserting the cannula Evacuating the contents of the uterus

This method may be used before 6 weeks of pregnancy. In this method

a cannula (flexible tube) is “inserted into the uterus (womb) through the

cervix, which is numbed with local anaesthetic. The plunger on the aspirator is

pulled back to create a vacuum and it is inserted into the cannula. The valves

on the side of the aspirator, the pinch valves, are released to transfer the

vacuum to the uterus. This sucks the contents of the uterus into the aspirator.

This is a safe and effective form of abortion.”274

II.4.2.2 Vacuum Machine Aspiration or Suction Aspiration: Vacuum machine can be used after 6 weeks of pregnancy to terminate it. This

is also a commonly used method. In this method, the cervix i.e., the neck of

the womb is stretched open to allow the surgeons to insert a suction

transparent plastic tube, often with a sharp cutting edge or with a knife-edged

tip, into the womb.

272 “MCPC-Manual vacuum aspiration-Health Education To Villages”. (2012). P-2, [e-photo/

picture] 273 Ibid. P-3 274 “Manual vacuum abortion equipment” (2012). P-1, [e-photo/picture]


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The tube is connected to a powerful pump with a suction force 29 times more

powerful than a home vacuum cleaner.275

This powerful tube is connected to a strong suction apparatus. The powerful vacuum

dismembers the tiny baby and placenta, tearing them to pieces and sucking them into

a collection bottle. The surgeon uses the suction tube to evacuate the placenta from

the womb. Although the baby is extremely small, body parts are often easily

identified and the uterus has been removed.276

The operation has been shown in the following illustration-07 and

illustration-08.

Illustration—07277

275 “Abortion: Methods and consequences”.(2009). P-1, [e-article] 276 Goswami, S. (2007). Female Infenticide and Child Marriage. P-337 277 “The Case Against Abortion: Abortion Procedures” (2012), P-1, [e-photo/picture]


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II.4.3 Dilation and Suction Curettage : Dilation and

suction curettage is also called D & C, suction dilation, vacuum curettage, and

suction curettage. This method is used between 7 and 12 weeks.

In this method, the neck of the womb is dilated to permit the insertion

of a loop-shaped sharp knife, called a curette (instead of the suction cannula

used in the above procedure), to cut the baby into pieces and scraping the

placenta from its attachments on the uterine wall.279 If the head is too large, it

must be smashed and crushed in order to be removed. The contents of the uterus are then removed with a tube attached to a suction

machine, and walls of the uterus are cleaned using a narrow loop called a

curette.280

278 “The Case Against Abortion: Abortion Procedures” (2012), P-1, [e-photo/picture] 279 Stephen, D. (2007). Christian Ethics Issues and Insights. P-95 280 “Abortion, Induced - procedure, blood, tube, pain,…..”(2012). P-6, [e-article]


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The Operation


The Effect

281 “Dilation and Curettage (D and C)”. (2011) P-1, [e-photo/picture] 282 “Right to Life of Michigan”. (2012). P-2, [e-photo/picture]


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The scraping of the uterus typically involves more bleeding than from a suction

abortion and increases the risk of uterine perforation and infection. This can cause

damage leading to death or premature delivery of a baby in a subsequent

pregnancy.283

II.4.4 Methotrexate and Misoprostol: It is discovered

that “two drugs that were developed for cancer (methotrexate) and ulcer

(misoprostol) treatment are now being used in combination to kill babies. It is worth noting that methotrexate is a highly toxic drug with side-effects and

complications such as nausea, pain, diarrhea, bone marrow depression, anaemia,

liver damage and lung disease occurring even at low doses.284

Methotrexate is a chemotherapy drug with the potential for serious toxicity, which

can result in the death of the mother as well as the baby.285

These two drugs “act on a women’s reproductive system: methotrexate

kills the rapidly growing cells of the trophoblast, the tissue which develops

onto the placenta, and misoprostol causes uterine contractions to expel the

baby.”286 This regimen also involves multiple clinic or hospital visits. After receiving an

injection of methotrexate the woman returns 3 to 7 days later to receive the

misoprostol vaginally. She returns home where cramping and bleeding begin. The

baby is usually aborted within 24 hours. 287

II.4.5 Hysterotomy: Hysterotomy is, in effect, a caesarean section,

“except that the umbilical cord is usually cut while the baby is still in the

womb, thus cutting off his oxygen supply and causing him to suffocate.

283 Goswami, S. (2007). Female Infenticide and Child Marriage. PP-337-38 284 Ibid. P-39 285 “Abortion FTL... by Maskara N.O.M. ~ R.I.P. Frankie Manning on Myspace” (2008). P-2, [e-

article] 286 Goswami, S. (2007). Female Infenticide and Child Marriage. PP-338-39 287 Ibid.


Sunil Kumar Das 73

Sometimes the baby is removed alive and simply left in a corner to die of

neglect or exposure.”288

Hysterotomy is performed during the late second trimester, between

sixteenth and twenty-fourth weeks of pregnancy,289 when it is too late to use

D&C, or any other method to kill the baby.

It is performed very rarely, usually only when intra-amniotic infusion is not

advised……Like any major surgery, hysterotomy involves a risk of surgical

complications accompanying the use of general anesthesia and a potential for

postoperative infection.290

II.4.6 Dilation and Evacuation (D&E): Dilation and

Evacuation (D&E), as the name indicates, combines dilation of the cervix and

suction of the contents of the uterus.

It is usually performed during the late first trimester or early second

trimester.291 To abort a fourteenth week foetus this method is performed

usually in three steps.

First the cervix is dilated…….more fully than with vacuum aspiration to allow for

passage of the larger foetus. Then a suction tube is inserted to remove some of the

contents of the uterus.292

Finally, the remaining contents are removed with forceps. Illustrations

are as follows:

288 “Abortion Methods - How Different Types of Surgical Abortions are Performed”.(2011). P-4,

[e-article] 289 Nevid, J. et al (ed.). (1993). Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity. P-384 290 Ibid. P-384 291 Ibid. P-383 292 Beckwith, F. J. (2007). Defending Life, A Moral and Legal Case against Abortion Choice. PP-

85-86, [e-book]


Sunil Kumar Das 74

Illustration —11293


293 “Abortion Methods | Voice for Life New Zealand”. (2012). P-2, [e-photo/picture] 294 Ibid.


Sunil Kumar Das 75

To explain, at the first step cervical preparation (i.e. softening and

dilation of the cervix) is done.

Absorbent dilators may be put into the cervix, where they remain for several hours,

sometimes overnight. Misoprostol may also be used to facilitate dilation of the

cervix.295

Then some contents are removed by inserting a suction tube and the

remaining contents are removed with forceps. A blunt scraper may also be

used to scrape the uterine wall to make sure that the lining has been removed

fully.296

Again, in case of abortion of a fifteen to twenty three week foetus

during the second step the woman may be given a local anesthetic injection

near the cervix. Then some contents are removed from the uterus with surgical

instruments and suction curettage.

Metal forceps with a sharp cutting edge are used to grasp and pull the baby from the

womb. The entire body is removed piece by piece.297

The teeth of the forceps twist and tear the bones of the unborn baby.

The baby’s skull has typically hardened to bone by this time; it needs to be

crushed for being removed from the uterus.298

Body parts are then reassembled and counted in order to make sure that the entire

body has been removed so that no parts remain in the womb.299

Illustrations are as follows:

295 Beckwith, F. J. (2007). Defending Life, A Moral and Legal Case against Abortion Choice.

PP- 85-86, [e-book] 296 Nevid, J. et al (ed.). (1993). Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity. P-383 297 Goswami, S. (2007). Female Infenticide and Child Marriage. P-339 298 Ibid. 299 Schwarz, S. (2007) Excerpts from The Moral Issue of Abortion. P-10, [e-article]


Sunil Kumar Das 76

Illustration –13300


300 “The Case Against Abortion: Abortion Procedures” (2012), P-3, [e-photo/picture] 301 Ibid.


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302 “The Case Against Abortion: Abortion Procedures” (2012), P-3, [e-photo/picture] 303 Ibid.


Sunil Kumar Das 78

The “women undergoing this procedure have a higher risk of cervical

laceration. Ironically, even some abortionists find this procedure distasteful, as

the process of using forceps to twist and tear the baby’s body from the womb

is undeniably traumatic.”304

II.4.7 Saline Injection or (Candy apple babies)

Abortion : In saline abortions, done after the 16th week, a “long needle

is inserted through the mother’s abdomen directly into the sac surrounding the

baby and a solution of concentrated salt is injected into it. The baby ‘breathes’

in and swallows the salt and is poisoned by it.”305 Acute salt poisoning kills

the baby either in the womb or after it is brought out. Usually death of the

baby occurs in one to two hours––though sometimes death takes many hours

to come. From salt poisoning there occurs dehydration, convulsions and

haemorrhages of the brain and the baby is literally burned inside by the strong

salt solution.”306 As sown in the illustrations 17 and 18:


Saline Injection Salt poisoning-abortion picture

304 Goswami, S. (2007). Female Infenticide and Child Marriage. P-339 305 Stephen, D. (2007). Christian Ethics Issues and Insights. P-96 306 Goswami, S. (2007). Female Infenticide and Child Marriage. P-339 307 “Abortion Information: Abortion Through Saline Injection”. (2012). P-1, [e-photo/picture] 308 “Saline abortions are cruel and dangerous”. (2011). P-1, [e-photo/picture]


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The corrosive effect of the salt solution often burns and strips away the outer layer of

the baby’s skin. This exposes the raw, red glazed looking subcutaneous layer of

tissue.309

Within 24 hours, labor will usually set in and the mother will give birth to a dead or

dying baby. (There have been many cases of these babies being born alive. They are

usually left unattended to die. However, a few have survived and later been

adopted.)310

The effect of such abortion is shown in Illustrations 19 below.

Illustrations—19311

The baby’s Skin is Chemically Burned by the Salt

On the application of this technique—

The baby’s head sometimes looks a candy apple and therefore this method is known

as candy apple abortion. 312

309 Goswami, S. (2007). Female Infenticide and Child Marriage. P-339 310 “Abortion Methods - How Different Types of Surgical Abortions are Performed”. P-4,

[e-article] 311 “Abortion Information: Abortion Through Saline Injection”. (2012). P-1, [e-photo/picture]


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The Baby’s thrashing, caused by the trauma of the saline, can be physically painful

to his or her mother and is often psychologically devastating to her.313

This technique was originally developed in the concentration camps in Nazi

Germany, to traumatize war-victims.314

II.4.8 Prostaglandin: In this method, the pregnant woman is

given a type of drug called prostaglandin (a type of hormone), either by

injecting into the womb, or in the form of a pill. This drug causes a woman to go into labour at any stage of pregnancy. It is generally

used in middle to late pregnancy to induce abortion. The potent, hormone-like drug

is injected into the amniotic sac to produce labour and premature birth. In some

cases the unborn baby is born alive and placed aside to die.315

In order to avoid, what some abortionists call ‘the dreaded complication of a live

birth’, it is now customary to kill the child first before ‘evacuating’ him or her from

the womb.316

An ultrasound-guided needle containing an injection of lethal

potassium chloride or dioxin or salt is pushed into the unborn baby’s heart to

cause fetal cardiac arrest with a view to making the abortion procedure less

stressful for the pregnant woman.317

Prostaglandins are accompanied by serious problems of their own, including

potentially lethal side-effects.318

Illustrations—20 and Illustration—21 show the horrible effects of

prostaglandin abortions.

312 Goswami, S. (2007). Female Infenticide and Child Marriage. P-339 313 Ibid. 314 Ibid. 315 Ibid. P-340 316 Ibid. 317 Ibid. 318 Ibid.


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Illustrations —20319


Victim of Prostaglandin Abortion

319 “humanity of the unborn | The Lewis Crusade”. (2010). P-27, [e-photo/picture] 320“Prostaglandin abortions”. (2010), P-1. [e-photo/picture]


Sunil Kumar Das 82

II.4.9 Dilation and Extraction (D&X), or “Partial

-Birth" Abortion: This method is a modified form of Dilation and

Evacuation. It is used to kill babies from 20th week through full term.

In this method— …the woman receives laminaria, cylindrically shaped or tapered devices which are

inserted into the cervix and gradually increase in diameter as they absorb water.321

The surgeon then ruptures the amniotic sac and drains the fluid. With

the guidance of ultra-sound the surgeon uses forceps to turn the baby’s head

downward. Then he/she— …grasps one of the baby’s legs and pulls the entire body, with the exception of the

head, outside of the uterus. Because the head is usually too large to deliver…322

Next, the surgeon— …inserts a sharp object into the back of the foetus’ head, removes it, and inserts a

vacuum tube through which the brains are extracted. The head of the foetus contracts

at this point and allows the foetus to be removed easily from the womb.323

It is worth noting that most babies at this stage of development weigh at least a

pound, measure approximately 8 inches in length and are fully formed, with feet

roughly 1 inch to 1.5 inches in length. Babies born at this point in pregnancy (19 or

20 weeks) have survived.324

321 Goswami, S. (2007). Female Infenticide and Child Marriage. P-340 322 Ibid. 323 Stephen, D. (2007). Christian Ethics Issues and Insights. P-97 324 Goswami, S. (2007). Female Infenticide and Child Marriage. PP-340-41


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Illustrations —01325 Illustrations —02326

The surgeon locates the baby's legs by The surgeon grasps a leg with forceps to ultrasound get the baby's head


A suction catheter is placed into the opening The skull collapses and the baby is being to remove the skull contents removed

325“ D&X or Partial Birth Abortion”. (2010). P-1, [e-photo/picture] 326 Ibid. P-2 327 Ibid. P-3 328 Ibid. P-4


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Dr. Martin Haskell, who introduced this procedure and Dr. James McMahon of Los

Angeles, who also uses it, state that the majority of babies aborted by D&X are alive

until the end of the procedure. Local anesthesia is used for the woman; it does not

affect the child. No anesthesia is used for the child.329

In writing for the Journal of the American Medical Association, Drs. M. LeRoy

Sprang and Mark G. Neerhof, conclude with the following statement:

Intact D&X (partial-birth abortion) should not be performed, because it is needlessly

risky, inhumane, and ethically unacceptable. This procedure is closer to infanticide

than it is to abortion.330

If this statement is right, then which method of abortion is not inhuman

and ethically unacceptable? Because each method of abortion violates the

most basic medical tenet and cardinal virtue respectively:

“Do No Harm"—“mā hiṁsyāt bhūtāniti”.

---------------------------

329 Schwarz, S. (2007). “Excerpts from The Moral Issue of Abortion”. P-10 [e-article] 330 Deem, R. (2009). “D&X (Partial Birth) Abortions”. P-1, [e-article]

nature, types, causes and methods of abortion 2.pdfthe issue of the moral status of abortion. hence,...

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